This rule is effective July 31, 2014 without further action, unless significant adverse comment is received by June 2, 2014. If significant adverse comment is received, the Federal Maritime Commission will publish a timely withdrawal of the rule in the Federal Register .

46 CFR Parts 501 and 503

Summary

This regulation amends the Commission's provisions for release of public information and related delegation of authority by issuing procedures for requests for testimony by Federal Maritime Commission employees and production of official Commission records in litigation, and delegating responsibility for determinations relating to such procedures to the General Counsel. It generally provides that Commission employees may not appear as witnesses in connection with information acquired in the course of performing official duties, or produce Commission records in litigation, without the consent of the Commission. The intended effect of this regulation is to clarify the Commission's procedures, conserve the ability of the Commission to conduct official business, preserve its employee resources, minimize involvement in matters unrelated to its mission and programs, and maintain its impartiality. This regulation does not apply to Congressional inquiries, Federal court civil proceedings in which the United States is a party, or Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act requests.

This is a list of United States Code sections, Statutes at Large, Public Laws, and Presidential Documents, which provide rulemaking authority for this CFR Part.

This rule is effective July 31, 2014 without further action, unless significant adverse comment is received by June 2, 2014. If significant adverse comment is received, the Federal Maritime Commission will publish a timely withdrawal of the rule in the Federal Register .

46 CFR Parts 501 and 503

Summary

This regulation amends the Commission's provisions for release of public information and related delegation of authority by issuing procedures for requests for testimony by Federal Maritime Commission employees and production of official Commission records in litigation, and delegating responsibility for determinations relating to such procedures to the General Counsel. It generally provides that Commission employees may not appear as witnesses in connection with information acquired in the course of performing official duties, or produce Commission records in litigation, without the consent of the Commission. The intended effect of this regulation is to clarify the Commission's procedures, conserve the ability of the Commission to conduct official business, preserve its employee resources, minimize involvement in matters unrelated to its mission and programs, and maintain its impartiality. This regulation does not apply to Congressional inquiries, Federal court civil proceedings in which the United States is a party, or Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act requests.